Bayside District donation adds 8th concert to Twilight Dance Series

An eighth summer concert has been added to the Twilight Dance Series at the Santa Monica Pier following a $20,000 donation from the Bayside District Corporation, which manages downtown.

The corporation joins the City Council and other sponsors who have contributed funds to maintain the popular concert series after the Pier Restoration Corporation announced a significant sponsorship shortfall earlier this year.

“Both the staff and board felt strongly that we needed to show our support for this beloved event,” said Kathleen Rawson, CEO of Bayside District Corporation. “The Twilight Dance Series has grown beyond a local summer tradition in Santa Monica, it’s beneficial to the entire Los Angeles area.”

Bayside officials said the summer series provides downtown Santa Monica with visibility at the well-attended concert each Thursday evening as many of the attendees park in the downtown structures and either come early or stay late to meet friends, eat dinner, shop or walk around.

“I’m thrilled to see the outpouring of support and the most recent partnership with our sister organization, Bayside District Corporation, to guarantee an eighth concert at this beloved series” said Kent Smith, chair of the Pier Restoration Corporation Board. “This is fantastic news and makes us all realize what can be accomplished when we all work together.”

Ben Franz-Knight, executive director of the pier restoration board, added, “We are excited to partner with Bayside District and look forward to a summer program that integrates all aspects of our wonderful beachside community. The generosity of Bayside District puts us one step closer to a full summer of free concerts.”

To secure a full summer with a minimum nine concerts, an additional $27,000 will need to be raised by April 30th, pier officials said. To learn more about the Twilight Dance Series, www.santamonicapier.org/.